Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - December 12, 2007
The report card by the DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice gives the school system a D, citing delays in approving systemwide health standards that would help prevent infection. It is the biggest negative in a report that also highlights progress in the effort to combat the AIDS epidemic.
"In the midst of this crisis, students should be getting information in school that will help prevent infection for the rest of their lives," the report states. Instead, "fewer and fewer students" have received instruction about the virus in recent years.
In a statement, Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee acknowledged the system's failure. "Going forward," she said, it is "committed to implementing comprehensive health curriculum that includes instruction on HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases." The school board is scheduled to vote Thursday on overall standards that would be an initial step toward her goal.
Youth advocates say the lack of education has perpetuated myths about HIV, including that it is a gay disease that won't threaten teens.
While critical of the schools, the Appleseed report praises other efforts, awarding the district an A for progress in tracking how many residents have been diagnosed with the virus. A city report two weeks ago showed nearly 12,500 people were known to be infected in 2006. Appleseed says the data provide "the first good look" at the challenge facing the city.
Another top score was awarded for the Department of Corrections, which is testing about 75 percent of inmates at the D.C. jail for HIV-AIDS upon arrival. Starting in January, inmates who are HIV-positive will be given a 28-day supply of medications on discharge so their treatment is not interrupted. The two initiatives are "at the forefront of the nation," Appleseed's report said.
Other noted improvements include the expansion of condom giveaways and HIV screening in hospitals and clinics.
D.C. health officials have said Washington has the highest AIDS rate among major cities across the country.
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